Dr. James Lewis "Jim" Yopp's Obituary
Dr. James Lewis “Jim” Yopp, 79, of Gainesville, Florida, passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2015, in the Gainesville Healthcare Center, following an extended illness.
Dr. Yopp, a native of Paragould, Arkansas, was born June 16, 1935 to the late Byron Lewis and Jewell Yopp. He was educated in Arkansas, receiving his Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Arkansas State University, and his Doctorate from the University of Florida, and studied post-doctorally at Harvard University. Jim spent his life as an educator in public schools in Columbia and Putnam counties. His mother Jewell raised him to know the scriptures and he was a gospel preacher for 54 years. He influenced thousands with his preaching and thousands more with his educational leadership. Jim loved his children and grandchildren, ice cream, root beer, popcorn balls, peanut clusters, Blizzards, blackberry cobbler and lighthouses. He was preceded in death by his parents and by one son, Terry Lynn, and by three grandchildren.
Jim is survived by his wife of 61 years, Bonnie Sue Hosman Yopp; children, Doug (Jill) Yopp, Dr. Lisa Yopp, and Rene Yopp; grandchildren, James (Yanjin) Yopp, Steve (Emily) Yopp, Cyndi (Nick) Buckpitt, Katie (Daniel) Reetzke, and Phil Dillinger; great grandchildren, Valen, Aubry, Carter, and Chloe; and by two brothers, Bobby Yopp and Richard Yopp.
Graveside funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 11:00 A. M., in Countryside Cemetery, 10926 NW 39th Avenue, Gainesville. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of the Nature Coast, 150 N Main Street, High Springs, FL 32643.
The family would like to thank the staffs of Hospice of the Nature Coast and Gainesville Healthcare Center, for the loving care shown to Jim and his family over the past 5 years.
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